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Posted

OK, someone please just make sure I have this right.  Fort Hunt, C-2, 9/28/14.

RESERVATION DETAILS
Campground: Fort Hunt
Site: C-002
Site Type: GROUP PICNIC AREA
Loop: Group Picnic Areas
State: Virginia
Region: NCR
Arrival Date: Sun Sep 28 2014
Departure Date: Sun Sep 28 2014
Length of Stay: 1
Primary Occupant: L ILAINE UPTON
# of Occupants: 120
Equipment:
# of Vehicles: 40
# OF PETS:
Check-In Time: 10:00 AM
Check-Out Time: 6:00 PM
Posted

That looks right.  Remember to bring your permit with you because they do come around to check it.  (Or be able to bring it up on your phone to show them.)  Putting it on my calendar now :) .

Posted

Excellent!  So, I'm interested in knowing...what do people want to see/do at the picnic?  We want it to be the biggest and best we've ever had.  Do you want organized tastings (I'm thinking beer/wine)?  Restaurant/chef participation?  Food-related games (maybe like a "Chopped" style challenge)?  Cookbook swaps?

We always have a good time just eating and chatting.  But, I feel like maybe we can get some new folks interested if we have a little something for everyone.

Really excited to hear peoples' thoughts!

Posted

I like all of your ideas!

In the past things I have really enjoyed:

When Antonio brought fried chicken and ribs;

Cookbook exchange;

When someone who I don't know fried fresh spring rolls;

Caja china pig;

Wine cull.

Things that would be cool:

If we could arrange to do a mobile knife sharpening?

Maybe a few low key demonstrations on how to make something (this is challenging in the picnic environment- I was thinking like garden rolls or something).

Posted

Sorry to have to miss it, but the 28th is the only day in the fall that we've already committed elsewhere :(  I'm subscribing to this thread anyway though, in case something changes!

Posted

Sorry to have to miss it, but the 28th is the only day in the fall that we've already committed elsewhere :(  I'm subscribing to this thread anyway though, in case something changes!

We also have something else scheduled that day, but I'll follow the thread anyway, for the same reason.

The diversity of food has always been the big draw for me (well, after the company). But I've enjoyed the tastings we've done (butter, salt), the cook-offs (pigs, chili), and on-site cooking (fried chicken!) and stunt cooking (ostrich egg, ice cream).

Posted

Ilaine, is it too late to reserve the 14th or 21st? I can make a poll. It sounds like a couple people can't make the 28th. (Does anyone have plans on the 14th or 21st?) I'd hate for people to miss this because they had commitments on a date selected 3 months in advance if we can help it.

I don't want to spend the next two weeks deciding on a date, so if we're going to put up a poll, let's do it ASAP and be done with it by Monday. What do people think?

  • Like 1
Posted

Don, anybody who wants to do so can take a poll, and anybody who wants to do so can reserve the site.  It's only $200.00.

Never too late, until it is.

I just don't have time for it, myself.  Like herding cats, it is.

If someone wants to take a poll, and the site is still available for the voted-on date, let me know via PM and I will reserve it, and cancel the one I already made, just $10 to cancel which is nothing to me.  Seriously.

www.recreation.gov

Posted

Don, anybody who wants to do so can take a poll, and anybody who wants to do so can reserve the site.  It's only $200.00.

Never too late, until it is.

I just don't have time for it, myself.  Like herding cats, it is.

If someone wants to take a poll, and the site is still available for the voted-on date, let me know via PM and I will reserve it, and cancel the one I already made, just $10 to cancel which is nothing to me.  Seriously.

www.recreation.gov

OKAY.  Poll is started here and ends Monday at 5 PM. Anyone who cares enough to vote, do it now.

Please everyone, retweet this tweet to spread the word as quickly as possible. I want this decided on by Monday.

I'm going to do everything I can to make this the best picnic we've ever had.

Posted

Apparently October 28, 2014 won the poll, so it's a go.  For what it's worth, I voted for all three dates.

But I do like late September better than early September.

Coming from Louisiana, I never saw any difference and never understood why "fall" starts on September 21.

Here, I really see something mysterious happen in September.  There is a day, not exactly September 21, but near enough, where the nights start getting cooler and the air starts getting crisper, and you know, you KNOW, that your green tomatoes are not going to ripen, ever, and your figs, neither.

And then it's fall.

It fell.

Well, not exactly, you start sliding from the dog days into Indian summer.

Posted

So, September 28 is the date - I know it is still early, but maybe we can at least get commitments in terms of any "heavy" equipment for on-site cooking?  That way, we can plan some activities around what we have.

There will be plenty of room for off-site cooking (in other words, people bringing stuff that they cook/prep in their own kitchens) - but we can wait a bit to start tallying up who is bringing what.

Posted

Now that it is August, that means the picnic is next month.  :D

Hope everyone is thinking delicious thoughts about what to bring.  Even though it is still early, I'm always happy to talk picnic!  Really looking forward to it.

Posted

I wonder if our lovely Alex would consider doing a wine tasting?  I am really excited about the picnic.  Trying to figure out what to bring.  What were some of the other ideas?

We could do a weird non-perishable in your cabinets cull.

Posted

I wonder if our lovely Alex would consider doing a wine tasting?  I am really excited about the picnic.  Trying to figure out what to bring.  What were some of the other ideas?

We could do a weird non-perishable in your cabinets cull.

I'll ask her. My advice? Get moving - it will be here before you know it.

Also, meat, meat, and more meat.

Posted

A wine tasting would be awesome.  I'm going to work on some beer for tasting, too - heading to California for 2 weeks, so I hope to bring back some unusual/rare finds that we can't easily get here in the DC area.

What are our limitations in terms of on-site cooking?  Do we have access to electricity?

Posted

When we went to the commissary yesterday ( Tom came home to stock up) there was a NC chopped BBQ truck outside, first time I've seen a trailer at the comm. After buying him lots of food, Tom & his sister hit the BBQ truck- he said it wasn't as good as mine, that he prefers pulled over chopped BBQ (warmed my heart)- & no slaw on the sandwich...but the potato salad was OK.

I will bring pulled pork BBQ, & all the leftover tablecloths, serving ware to the Fall picnic, & books for the cookbook swap, & other stuff, to be determined. I am SO looking forward to the picnic, & seeing everyone...

  • Like 1
Posted

Woo hoo, it is September, which means the picnic is THIS MONTH!

Who's coming?  Whatcha bringing?  Let's get excited about food and fellowship on what will hopefully be a beautiful fall day.

So far -

thistle - pulled pork BBQ, table/serving stuff, and possibly additional TBD

bettyjoan +1 - TBD on the food, but definitely beer (happy to coordinate a tasting)

Let me know if you're coming and what you'd like to bring, so we can make sure we have all food groups covered.  As discussed in previous years, there is no such thing as too many deviled eggs.  :D

Posted

Definitely my Sicilian cauliflower.  Probably also some gluten-free lemon bars and some sort of meat dish

Will you be doing knife-sharpening this year?  If so, please feel free to post any relevant details - I know I would be interested, and I'm sure others would be as well!

Posted

Lizzy(my former pescetarian daughter) was just asking me when I was cooking BBQ again. Hope it cools down in the next few weeks, but I'm enjoying back to school schedules & a return to routine. I hope everyone had a great summer, see you at the picnic to welcome fall!

Posted

Will you be doing knife-sharpening this year?  If so, please feel free to post any relevant details - I know I would be interested, and I'm sure others would be as well!

I'm not sure yet.  Work has been about four times as crazy as normal, and on the weekends I just try to get my head back together to face the next onslaught.

Posted

I'm not sure yet.  Work has been about four times as crazy as normal, and on the weekends I just try to get my head back together to face the next onslaught.

So we're taking that as a "yes."

  • Like 1
Posted

Hmmm. I might go. Will anyone be grilling?

Not sure - Ilaine, do we have access to a grill at the site?  Does someone need to bring one?  Any other equipment we should try to procure?

Posted

If we come, we are bringing a grill. I say if because the foot surgery I had in January failed, and needs to be revised. Presently scheduled for 9/30/14, but am trying to get it moved up because I am in pain. My impression is that BettyJoan is organizing and all I did was reserve C-2. I hope so, as I am not up for it.

Posted

If we come, we are bringing a grill. I say if because the foot surgery I had in January failed, and needs to be revised. Presently scheduled for 9/30/14, but am trying to get it moved up because I am in pain. My impression is that BettyJoan is organizing and all I did was reserve C-2. I hope so, as I am not up for it.

I am sorry to hear about your foot.  :(  Let me know if there's anything I need to do in terms of the reservation/permit.  I hope you feel better soon!

Posted

Updated RSVP list -

thistle - pulled pork BBQ, table/serving stuff, and possibly additional TBD

bettyjoan +1 - TBD on the food, but definitely beer (happy to coordinate a tasting)

weezy - Sicilian cauliflower, gluten-free lemon bars, TBD meat dish

ktmoomau - Banana Cake with Penuche frosting, side dish of some sort, probably a veggie salad, GF cornbread

John William G +1 - TBD on food

StarStraf +1 - TBD on food

Remember, you don't have to cook something to attend!  We certainly encourage folks to show off their mad kitchen skillz, but we do not require it.

Anyone interested in focusing on beverages?

Getting hungry already!  :-)

Posted

I'm sorry, but it turns out I wont' be able to make it.  I have to attend a memorial service up in Lancaster that day.  Y'all have fun and eat well!

Posted

Updated again:

thistle - pulled pork BBQ, table/serving stuff, and possibly additional TBD

bettyjoan +1 - TBD on the food, but definitely beer (happy to coordinate a tasting)

ktmoomau +1 - Banana Cake with Penuche frosting, side dish of some sort, probably a veggie salad, GF cornbread

John William G +1 - TBD on food

StarStraf +1 - TBD on food

DanielK +3 - TBD on food

Hoping to see lots more names added this week!  For those who have never attended a picnic before, it is a very low key event and it is a lot of fun!  So nice to be outdoors, eating delicious food and getting to know the DR.com family.

Posted

Kinda hoping that there are bunches of people who just haven't bothered to sign in as "going", because right now I read the headcount as 13, and that's not a picnic.

Posted

Kinda hoping that there are bunches of people who just haven't bothered to sign in as "going", because right now I read the headcount as 13, and that's not a picnic.

I offered a few years ago to make this thing big, but people didn't want it; in fact, I was pretty much scorned by people who aren't even coming to this picnic. Since then, I have viewed my role in these picnics as one of staying out of peoples' way.

It's too late now, but think about it for the future. If I prioritize it (and only if I prioritize it), I can make this one hell of an event.

Also, think about a possible correlation between this and Alex Elman's chat, and ponder what's important to you, and what's not.

I'm not a marketer, I'm not a bullshitter; someone else needs to do that stuff for me.

---

EDIT - If anyone needs me to do anything, let me know. I'll do whatever you all want or need - it has always been that way.

Posted

I will be there +1 but in a wheelchair. Possibly +2, tbd. Can't fit both wheelchair and grill in vehicle so husband will make caprese. Bringing odds and ends from cabinets and pantry hoping they will find a good home. Since I reserved the spot, what time should I be there? Will also bring a case of bottled water and a case of beer. I will also bring plastic eat ware. Serve ware too. Anybody bringing ice?

Posted

The latest -

thistle - pulled pork BBQ, table/serving stuff, and possibly additional TBD

bettyjoan +1 - TBD on the food, but definitely beer (happy to coordinate a tasting)

ktmoomau +1 - Banana Cake with Penuche frosting, side dish of some sort, probably a veggie salad, GF cornbread

John William G +1 - rice salad, wine

StarStraf +1 - TBD on food

DanielK +3 - TBD on food

Ilaine +1 - caprese, water, beer, plastic/serve-ware

Kids are definitely welcome!

Weather report - high 83, low 61, 0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.  Come on, folks, that is PERFECT weather for a picnic!  Who else is in???

Posted

We will come if we are here, but right now we don't have the weekend's schedule.  I'll second and third the comments about how enjoyable these outings are.  Enjoy some wonderful food and great company! :)

Posted

I'll also bring cookbooks for swap/ giveaway- as much as I love cookbooks, I think I've reached my limit (have you seen the definitions for critical mass?) I'm liking the temperate weather, makes it better to set up the smoker. See you guys on Sunday...

Posted

Can someone commit to bringing a cooler and ice?  We just sold our car, so I am still figuring out how we are getting there, so I don't want to add to the complexity by bringing something that bulky.

Posted

Where you comming from?
If nothing else we drive right by Van Dorn Metro stop and could grab you there.

Can someone commit to bringing a cooler and ice? We just sold our car, so I am still figuring out how we are getting there, so I don't want to add to the complexity by bringing something that bulky.

Oh and what time are we starting?

Posted

We're still committed elsewhere on Sunday, but I want to chime in and add my support to other messages -- This picnic is a really great time, and extraordinarily delicious, and I encourage anyone on the fence to take the plunge and go :)  We're even thinking about rushing over to join in once we're free, but we wouldn't be able to get there until after 5pm. 

Posted

I think starting around 11 sounds good - any other thoughts?  It's definitely a "come when you can" type of event, but I doubt folks will be there after 5.

StarStraf, thanks for the offer, I will let you know!  I hope to have my Zipcar membership activated by then, in which case we'll do that (and I can bring heavier stuff in that case).

Who else is joining us?  :D

Posted

So...there has been concern regarding attendance (or lack thereof), and it's been suggested that we should cancel the picnic.  As much as I hate to do so, I do acknowledge that with the current RSVP list, it's likely to be a lot of effort for just a few folks.  What does everyone think?

I think that if we do cancel (and heck, even if we don't), I'd like to get some folks together - call it a picnic committee of sorts - to discuss our next attempt at the event and what we can do to avoid this situation in the future.

Let me know - I'm flexible either way.

Posted

Honestly I feel torn.  It would be nice to see people and share food, but I have so much to do to get ready for my foot surgery next Tuesday, I wasn't planning on spending much time there anyway.  If the consensus is to cancel, I can do that without a problem.  If the consensus is to carry on, we are planning to bring, instead of caprese, something more substantial, ratatouille and corn pudding.

Posted

Don't cancel.  People who don't RSVP always show, and the one picnic that was made thin by some pretty awful weather was really enjoyable because we got to talk and know each other much better.  Let the humbuggers stay home. :)

Posted

FWIW, previous picnics have all started at noon - that's what time we will get there (since it's an hour drive!)

Still have to do a fridge inventory, and check with my +1 on cooking, but we will bring a main, a side, and some beer in a cooler.

Sounds like currently nobody is bringing a grill, right?

Posted

Either way is fine with me - I would like it to happen as I've turned down other invites to be able to attend this.

Small group means we all get to talk more

Looks like we are bringing pasta and red meat sause

Posted

Sounds like folks want to charge onward - so, onward we shall charge!  :D

I'll bring an assortment of deviled eggs, beer, and probably also something sweet.

Noon sounds like a great start time.

Posted

So due to my ongoing work hecticness that was not anticipated, the cake is probably not going to happen, which is sad because it is very good.  But I have a beautiful bunch of tomatoes so I will make some sort of veggie side dish and GF cornbread.  

Posted

I pulled the pork this morning (it cooked overnight in the smoker) & it looks delicious, will bring some potato rolls for pulled pork sandwiches, baking pound cake later, & might make some slaw. Also bringing a cooler & various beverages, we'll be there at 11:30, since I have most of the leftover gear. Small picnics are good, too- you can chat with more people.

I don't have anything to grill, but I can bring a tabletop grill w/ side burner, in case anyone needs it.

Posted

Ratatouille and corn pudding in the oven. Found the sterno and the frame for the aluminum pans. Bought four cheap plastic large serving spoons and two spatulas. Have tons of plastic eating knives, forks and spoons. Have a case of bottled water. Bought a case of beer. Will bring ice chest and ice for beer in the morning. Need to remember beer opener. Is there a problem with glass? This just occurred to me. Need to remember index cards to state ingredients on dishes. Anyone have name tags?

  • Like 1
Posted

My good friends, the picnic will be small this year, but I'm pulling for everyone, and hope you all have a wonderful time. We can make this bigger and more interesting if you want to - just let me know. I've been trying to stay out of peoples' ways, and let everyone have a good time without me hovering, but I'm willing to help in any way I can. Wouldn't you love to have something by Eric, Celia, and their new daughter Adele? There's so much potential here, and I'm willing to do anything to help, if you want my help.

Posted

Raspberry palmiers are done, and deviled eggs just need to be filled.  Looking forward to seeing folks!  I don't think it's a huge deal if we don't have name tags, especially since this is a smaller event.

Posted

So sorry I missed the fun.  I'm at home with Miss Vivienne the tortie cat who is nearly nineteen and is trying to get over an infection.  Mr. lperry is out of town, and I'm afraid to leave her.  Some of you will understand, and others will think I'm mental, but that's OK. :)  I made some tomato jam to make the day about food, and I raise a glass to everyone who makes this such a great, friendly group.  Cheers!  -L

  • Like 1
Posted

We had a really good time. Excellent food, perfect weather, and marvelous company.

Bonus, tonight for dinner, some of Zora's prize winning corn cakes with crema, topped with some of Thistle's should-be-prize winning pulled pork. Really hit the spot.

We missed the people who couldn't make it, but the small crowd was intimate and congenial. Sweet.

Just wish I had taken home some of those killer green devilled eggs with ham, but they were gone!

  • Like 2
Posted

I, as always, enjoyed the picnic very much.  I enjoyed the food, I enjoyed the conversation.  It was nice to meet some folks I hadn't previously met. But before we let the memory of this picnic fade, and certainly before anyone starts planning the next one"”could some of you who didn't come, tell us why?  There are people I have seen at all of the picnics I have attended who weren't at this one.  Was the date inconvenient?  Are you just tired of them? Did you not want to fix anything to bring?  Those of you who often or usually attend"”what was wrong this time?

  • Like 2
Posted

I didnt attend as I usally sail when the weather is nice though that weekend I was watching my son's college hockey team play two games in Princeton, NJ.

Posted

No one (except me) showed up for Winter picnic, What about Spring? To far?

I really want to come, I have had date conflicts with the past couple and am really missing a good DR picnic, I think date is key, so not too soon.

Posted

Winter picnic?  Dame Edna, you are having your little joke?

Sure, let's start thinking about a spring picnic.  Just the thought of spring right now makes me happy.  If we plan far enough out in advance, people can add it to their calendars.  Nothing can be done about soccer practices, etc., but other discretionary schedule conflicts can be avoided, if desired.

It's probably too soon to put up a vote but suggestions welcomed.

As before, I will be happy to make the reservation.

Posted

Winter picnic?  Dame Edna, you are having your little joke?

Sure, let's start thinking about a spring picnic.  Just the thought of spring right now makes me happy.  If we plan far enough out in advance, people can add it to their calendars.  Nothing can be done about soccer practices, etc., but other discretionary schedule conflicts can be avoided, if desired.

It's probably too soon to put up a vote but suggestions welcomed.

As before, I will be happy to make the reservation.

Really, just trying to cope with winter insanity. Someone said they missed the informality and fun of the picnics. At this point, the when and if of the DRSP (Don  Rockwell Spring Picnic) is just a mirage, a dream , a fantasy. I would like to see someone try to do another Ventworm Cake. That was amazing.

The winter Picnic was great, featuring warm drinks in tankards and a selection of snack foods from Trader Joes. Also, someone cooked beef on the Barbeque. In the snow. Wonderful.

(If the title of this thread was changed, wouldn't mind.)

Posted

If we are ready to start planning the Spring 2015 picnic, someone should start a new thread, rather than renaming this one. We've always kept them separate.

Posted

Bumping this for people who may still be getting email on this topic.  I am trying to plan the Spring picnic.  Participation requested.  There is a new thread.

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